I recived this from a friend of mine and want to pass it along.
TAPS
We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It`s the the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creats tears in our eyes. But , do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be pleased to find out it`s humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison`s Landing in Virginia.
The Confederate Army was on the other side of a narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wonded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stircken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captian lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of this soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the south when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral drige for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler to play a series of musical notes he found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth`s uniform.
This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
Day is done
Gone the sun
>From the lakes
>From the hills
>From the sky.
All is well, safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
>From afar, Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neith the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.
TAPS
We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It`s the the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creats tears in our eyes. But , do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be pleased to find out it`s humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison`s Landing in Virginia.
The Confederate Army was on the other side of a narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wonded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stircken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captian lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of this soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the south when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral drige for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler to play a series of musical notes he found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth`s uniform.
This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
Day is done
Gone the sun
>From the lakes
>From the hills
>From the sky.
All is well, safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
>From afar, Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neith the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.